tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post8362067741007667413..comments2024-03-11T05:26:34.143-05:00Comments on Women Who Serve: Sharapova adds second Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to her collectionDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-56970587219325073392014-06-07T18:26:40.454-05:002014-06-07T18:26:40.454-05:00So much Simona love! The kind of sad thing is that...So much Simona love! The kind of sad thing is that she found her best serve in the last part of the tournament, and was even getting noticed for her serve. Had she held onto it for just one more round, she very well might be holding the CSL. But she didn't, and I think that's where nerves <i>did</i> do her in.<br /><br />But overall, as all of you have pointed out, it was a masterful performance. Being in your first major final is scary enough. Having to see Maria on the other side of the net is daunting. Well done by both!Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-7331998357882732012014-06-07T18:07:38.698-05:002014-06-07T18:07:38.698-05:00I feel like I am Simona Halep's mother. This ...I feel like I am Simona Halep's mother. This young woman competed as if this was not her first Grand Slam final. She played with honour and dignity. Against anyone else she would have won her first Grand Slam title. Give her a serve that is able to stand up under pressure and if she had won either that 4-4 game, or that 2-1 game in the third set and we would be singing a different tune. There was no gamesmanship or trickery about her. She played with honour and lost with honour, That is all you can expect someone like her to do. She did herself and her country proud today. I am very proud to call myself a fan.Overhead Spinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838462340734632101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-39125562128629762832014-06-07T17:06:34.308-05:002014-06-07T17:06:34.308-05:00Wow. I'm a Maria lifer...but I've grown so...Wow. I'm a Maria lifer...but I've grown so much in love with Halep's game and demeanor that, today, I found myself rooting for her instead. One thing that bodes well for Halep's future, even if it was lost on NBC's broadcasting geniuses (especially McEnroe as almost goes without saying)was that she certainly played well BUT SHE HARDLY PLAYED THE MATCH OF HER LIFE. As Diane noted, her serve was just a touch off and it took her at least a set and a half to start pulling the trigger on the down the line backhand that's usually so deadly. Add to that--and I can speak to this with some authority as a Maria watcher--this was her at her very best. Despite all the double-faults that are now part of her basic M.O. she was basically brilliant. And yet, Halep, on a very good but not otherworldly day, was right there. VERY encouraging, assuming she can put the disappointment behind her and keep moving forward there's no reason to think she won't make a habit of this.Nondisposable Johnnyhttp://theroundplaceinthemiddle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-34774233140527269662014-06-07T14:45:57.815-05:002014-06-07T14:45:57.815-05:00Yes bill, Attending Roland Garros has been a dream...Yes bill, Attending Roland Garros has been a dream of mine also.sunny ninenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-39855277548428026132014-06-07T14:20:23.531-05:002014-06-07T14:20:23.531-05:00Meant to add that I have few "bucket list&quo...Meant to add that I have few "bucket list" type aspirations but attending the French Open someday is one of them. This final added fuel to the fire.billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-17341315648000567202014-06-07T14:17:45.311-05:002014-06-07T14:17:45.311-05:00Great, great final. All credit to Sharapova, who ...Great, great final. All credit to Sharapova, who has become a wonderful clay court player. Hopefully Halep will use this as a learning experience and continue to develop as an elite player and (hopefully) future Major champion.billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-55202241664700328362014-06-07T14:14:57.351-05:002014-06-07T14:14:57.351-05:00Sogn and I really enjoyed this tremendously. The s...Sogn and I really enjoyed this tremendously. The shifts of momentum, the "what ifs" and "almosts". If there is any thing that Halep can take from this loss is that she is now to be taken seriously by any woman (in case they hadn't been paying attention the last year) and for those "fans" that generally only watch the major finals, Halep has made a name for herself as a formidable player with uncanny ability, intelligence and tenacity. And Sharapova will take away what people have should have noticed especially since her shoulder surgery-that despite all her money, life off the court, she has the amazing desire and will to compete, to win.<br />Both women will be seen again in finals and Halep will get the big trophy at some point soon.sunny ninenoreply@blogger.com